Attachment for a conventional non-window envelope machine

ABSTRACT

AN ATTACHMENT FOR A CONVENTIONAL NON-WINDOW ENVELOPE MACHINE FOR CONVERTING SUCH MACHINE INTO ONE IN WHICH A WEB OF A PATCHING MATERIAL FORMING A WINDOW TRANSPARENCY IS APPLIED TO A WINDOW ENVELOPE OR A LINER PATCH IS APPLIED TO THE INTERIOR OF A NON-WINDOW ENVELOPE, AND IN WHICH FEED OF THE PATCHING MATERIAL IS AUTOMATICALLY   INTERRUPTED WHEN THERE IS AN INTERRUPTION IN THE SUPPLY OF ENVELOPE BLANKS TO EACH OF WHICH A PATCH IS TO BE APPLIED.

March 23, 1971 E. c. SAUERMAN ,5

ATTACHMENT FOR A CONVENTIONAL NON-WINDOW ENVELOPE MACHINE Filed Jan. 21. 1969 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 March 23, 1971 c. SAUERMAN 3,572

ATTACHMENT FOR A CONVENTIONAL NON-WINDOW ENVELOPE MACHINE Filed Jan. 21, 1969 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 March 23, 1971 E. C. SAUERMAN ATTACHMENT FOR A CONVENTIONAL NON-WINDOW ENVELOPE MACHINE Filed Jan. 21 1969 3 Sheets-Sheet United States Patent 3,572,222 ATTACHMENT FOR A CONVENTIONAL NON- WINDOW ENVELOPE MACHINE Ernst C. Sauerman, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Gaw-OHara Envelope (10., Chicago, Ill. Filed Jan. 21, 1969, Ser. No. 792,443 Int. Cl. B31b 1/16, 1/82, 1/6'2 US. Cl. 93-61 6 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The present invention comprehends a novel but simple attachment for converting a conventional non-window envelope machine into one in which a window transparency is applied to a window envelope blank or a liner is applied to a non-window envelope blank.

In this novel attachment for a conventional non-window envelope machine, a web of transparent or liner material is fed continuously from a roll of the material, this web is partially severed into patches of predetermined dimensions, gum is applied to the edges of one side of the partially severed but connected patches with the partially severed web fed to a vacuum cylinder patch applicator where severance of the successive patches is completed by their being pulled apart and the severed individual patches are then fed and applied to the successive envelope blanks in timed relation.

In this novel attachment if there is failure of envelope blanks being fed to the vacuum cylinder, stoppage of the patching web is effected until envelope blanks are again being supplied or fed to the vacuum cylinder. Stoppage is accomplished by means of a normally closed feeler switch contacting the fed envelope blanks ahead of the vacuum cylinder which, when the switch is opened by failure of an envelope blank being fed, stops feeding of the web of patching material.

Also in this attachment, the novel vacuum cylinder patch applicator carries a scoring blade for scoring the top of each envelope blank and in which the top-scored blank with its applied patch is then fed to a scoring roll for scoring the bottom and side flaps of the envelope blanks.

Another feature of the present invention is to provide a novel attachment having cooperating rollers with the web of patching material being fed between an anvil, a contacting draw roll, a cutter roll which together with the anvil severs the web of patching material into patches but with successive patches retained connected until subsequently detached or pulled apart on a vacuum cylinder, and a roller containing a gumming pad for applying gum to the edges of each patch for attachment of a transparent patch to the interior surface of a window envelope blank or a patch providing a liner for a non-window envelope blank, either form of envelope blank being fed to a vacuum cylinder carrying the gummed patches and applying a separated gummed patch to an envelope blank.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a novel attachment pivotally or detachably mounted on a conventional non-window envelope machine whereby ice such conventional machine may be quickly and easily converted to apply either a patch forming a window transparency for the window opening of an envelope blank or applying a patch forming a liner for a non-window envelope blank. Thus the present invention provides a simple conversion to enhance the productivity of such conventional non-window envelope machine.

Further objects are to provide an attachment of maximum efiicie-ncy, economy and ease of operation and assembly, and such further objects, advantages and capabilities as will later more fully appear and are inherently possessed thereby.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the novel patching unit or attachment for converting a conventional window envelope machine into one for applying a window patch or liner to an envelope blank.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view in vertical cross section of the novel attachment mounted on a conventional nonwindow envelope machine, taken on the line 22 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an end elevational view of the solenoid for actuating the clutch mounted on the shaft of the anvil for interrupting feed of the patching material when there is an interruption in the feed of the envelope blanks.

FIG. 4 is a view in vertical cross section taken on the line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a window envelope blank with a gummed patch forming a window or transparency applied thereto and the blank scored for subsequent folding.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a portion of the web of patching material partially severed and before it is completely severed into individual patches.

FIG. 7 is a wiring diagram for operation of the attachment of the present invention.

Referring to the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, preformed envelope blanks 10, either with or without a window opening 11, are fed and conveyed as by means of a conventional chain conveyor -12 along the paper line to beneath a vacuum cylinder 13 whereat a severed and gummed patch 14 of the web is deposited and applied in predetermined position upon an envelope blank. The web of patching or liner material 15 is fed from an upper roll A over an idler or floating roller 16, downwardly over a draw roller 17, then over a hardened metal anvil or roller 18 and between the latter and a cutting roller 19 having longitudinal blades 52 which slit and partially sever successive patches from the web. The partially slit web then passes over a gumming roller and pad 21 applying gum or adhesive to the edges of the undersurface of the successive partially severed yet remaining connected patches of the web, the gum being supplied to the pad from a gum box 22 through an abutting metering roller 23. The web of gummed connected patches 14 then passes over a segment retard roller 24 and between it and a driven contact roller 25 and then onto the circumference of the vacuum cylinder 13 having a scorer blade 26 for eifecting or indenting a score line at 27 at the top of each envelope blank 10. The vacuum cylinder 13 has suction means and openings for retaining the patch thereon until applied to the envelope blank.

The retard roller 24 is recessed or segmented at 24 to receive therein and avoid contact with its circumference of the wet gummed edges of the partially severed but connected patches 14.

The slit and thus partially severed web of patching material to subsequently form Window transparencies for window envelopes or inner liners for non-window envelopes is fed to the vacuum cylinder 13 as the latter rotates and delivers and applies an individual gummed patch to each successive envelope blank 10. Mounted adjacent the vacuum cylinder 13 upon a squared portion of the shaft 28 are spaced fingers 29 each having a rubber tip 30 engaging with the successive slit window or liner patches for withdrawing and completely severing and detaching successive gummed patches 14 from the web and these individual gummed patches carried by the vacuum cylinder to and depositing and applying each patch in its proper relation and position onto the inner surface of an aligned envelope blank 10.

Each pre-cut envelope blank 10 is fed along the paper line by the conventional conveying means or chains 12 and upwardly projecting pins 31 to a position below the vacuum cylinder 13 where is deposited the detached patch 14 forming a window transparency or a liner onto its envelope blank 10. The combined envelope blank with the attached patch afiixed to the inner side of the blank is then fed 'by the conveying means between an upper score roller 32 and a lower rubber roller 33, the upper roller having a bottom scorer blade 34 and two spaced circumferentially disposed side scorer blades 35 for effecting score lines 36 and 36 at the sides and a score line 37 at the bottom of each successive envelope blank 10. The envelope blanks with the formed top, bottom and side score lines 27, 36, 36 and 37, respectively, are then fed to conventional plow shares or folding blades 38 for folding the sealing side flaps 39 and 41 inwardly and the bottom flap 42 of the envelope blank onto the side flaps, these side sealing flaps and the upper sealing flap having been previously gummed in a conventional manner.

In this patching unit or attachment, the scoring mechanism depends from a mounting plate 43 and the patching unit including the patch gummer are mounted upon spaced vertical supports 44, 44 the supports 44 being pivoted on a drive shaft 45 journalled in said supports. The idler or floating roller 16 and the contact roller 25 are journalled in spaced depending mounting brackets 46 and 47, respectively, the free lower end of each bracket being spring-loaded by a tension spring 48, the latter anchored at one end 49 to the lower end of the brackets 46 and 47 and at their other end 51 to one of the spaced vertical supports 44 whereby the draw roller 17 is held against the web passing over the anvil roller 18, and the contact roller 25 is tensionally held in contact with the slit web of the connected gummed patches 14 being fed over the retard roller 24.

The shafts of the rollers, except for the roller carrying the web and the idler roller 16, are geared and driven from a suitable power source driving the shaft 45 so as to be continuously driven when envelope blanks 10 are being fed to the vacuum cylinder. When there is a stoppage of the envelope blanks, means is provided for stopping rotation of all the rollers except for the shaft 28 carrying the three fingers 29 engaging the separated patches 14, which shaft continues to rotate. Thus, in the event there is a discontinuance of the feeding of the envelope blanks, there is a simultaneous discontinuance of the feeding of the web of patching material.

The cutting roller 19 has two circumferentially spaced and longitudinally extending blades 52 for transversely slitting at 53 opposite longitudinal edges of each patch 14 forming a transparency for each window envelope or a liner for each envelope devoid of a window, but such slits terminating adjacent the ends to retain the patches 14 of the web 15 connected. To limit the continuity of the slits, the underlying anvil roller 18 is suitably recessed whereby the cutting blades 52 on the roller 19 do not completely sever each patch when the blades engage and cut the web of material over these recesses. Thus, these patches when slit are not separated but remain afiixed until each patch is separated when the slit web 15 is fed to the vacuum cylinder 13 and the snap-out fingers 29 engage and pull away or completely sever each successive individual patch at 53 on the vacuum cylinder 13. These 4 individual patches are then retained by suction on the vacuum cylinder 13 until carried around, deposited and affixed in its proper relation onto the interior of the window envelope over the window opening 11 of a window envelope blank, or as a liner to an envelope blank devoid of a window opening.

To prevent feeding of the gummed patches 14 when no envelope blank 10 is being fed to the vacuum cylinder 13, the patcher drive is controlled by a feeler switch 54 provided on the paper line 55 working in a relay system with an outboard switch to stop feeding of the web of patching material 15. N0 patching material is fed until an envelope blank 10 enters and trips the switch, whereupon a signal occurs between the feeler switch and an outboard switch energizing a third switch to energize a clutch on the anvil roller effecting clutching engagement and causing the anvil roller and the associated driven rollers to rotate and reestablish power to the anvil roller 18 and the driven rollers.

As shown in FIG. 3, a pull-type solenoid 56 has a connecting link 57 attached to the lower end of an arm 58 carrying adjacent its upper end 60 an end 59 of the shaft 61 of the anvil roller 18 having a single revolution clutch 62 for clutching and declutching the roller 18 from the drive mechanism or power source functioning through the drive shaft 45 upon actuation of the solenoid. This solenoid 56 is energized by a switch on the relay 63 of a relay system including a second relay 64, these relays being connected through normally open cam-actuated micro-switches 65 and 66.

On the drive shaft 45 adjacent its one end are two cams 67 and 68 for actuating the micro-switches '65 and 66 (FIG. 7), the switch 65 actuated by the cam 67 and the switch 66 actuated by the cam 68, these micro-switches being controlled by the feeler switch 54 and the microswitch 66 completing the circuit upon reengagement of the clutch 62 to reestablish feeding of the patching material.

The envelope blanks 10 being fed to the present patching unit or attachment generally have their top or closure flap and side flaps gummed prior to their being fed onto the bed plate 69, and advanced by conventional conveyor means such as spaced chains 12 carrying upstanding pins 31, although application of gum to the top or closure flap 70 may be subsequent to the application of the gummed patches 14. Gear driven segment rolls 71 and 72 connected by an intermediate gear 73 for rotating both rolls in a counterclockwise direction are provided for advancing successive envelope blanks 10 to the vacuum cylinder 13 and thereat applying a completely severed gummed patch 14 to the interior of the blank for providing a window transparency or a liner.

The second envelope blanks with the attached patches are subsequently folded with the side flaps 39 and 41 folded inwardly and down along their score lines 36, 36 such as by means of the pair of inclined folding members or plow shares 38 and the gummed bottom fiap 42 folded upwardly and over onto the side flaps in the manner disclosed in my Pat. No. 2,643,594, of June 30, 1953. Similar folding mechanism is disclosed herein in FIG. 1 in which the envelope blanks with the attached patches 14 are advanced by suitable means such as friction rollers to the folding members or plow shares 38, and by upper friction rollers 74 to a reciprocating shovel or curved plate 75 and tuckers 76 for folding the bottom flap, and friction rollers 77 for advancing the completed envelopes. If desired, suitable gum applicator means 78 for applying gum to an envelope flap may be provided.

FIG. 1 discloses suitable drive mechanism including a main drive shaft 79, a driven shaft 81 and plural driven transverse shafts 82 connected to the drive shaft by intermeshing bevel gears 83, the plural driven shafts 82 carrying friction rollers for advancing the envelope blanks as the bottom and side flaps 42, 39 and 41 are folded to complete the envelopes.

Having thus disclosed my invention, I claim:

1. A patching attachment for converting a conventional non-window envelope machine in which successive envelope blanks are gummed, scored and folded, into one in which a window transparency is applied to a window envelope blank or a liner to a non-window envelope blank, said attachment including a roll of patching material from which a web of the material is continuously fed, means for partially severing the web into connected patches for subsequent separation into individual patches, means for gumming the edges of each of the connected patches of the web, in which the attachment contains means whereby upon interruption of the feeding of envelope blanks, feeding of the patching material is interrupted until feeding of envelope blanks is reestablished, and in which an open envelope blank and severed gummed patch to be affixed to the interior of the envelope blank are fed in timed relation to a station where the individual patch is carried and afiixed to an envelope blank, and means for feeding, separating and affixing the individual gummed patches from the web onto the inner surface of successive envelope blanks fed through the machine, said means including a vacuum cylinder applicator to which the web of partially severed patching material is fed and completely severed thereon, said cylinder then applying and afi'ixing an individual patch upon each envelope blank and including a scorer blade for scoring the top flap of each envelope blank, and means for separating the partially severed web of patching material as it is carried by suction on the cylinder into individual gummed patches with each patch subsequently deposited and affixed to an envelope blank, said last mentioned means comprising a rotating shaft having fingers with resilient ends contacting and separating the individual patches.

2. A patching attachment for converting a conventional non-window envelope machine in which successive envelope blanks are gummed, scored and folded, into one in which a window transparency is applied to a window envelope blank or a liner to a non-window envelope blank, said attachment comprises a roll of patching material from which a Web of the material is continuously fed, means for partially severing the web into connected patches for subsequent separation into individual patches, gumming the marginal edges of each of the connected patches of the web, in which the attachment contains means whereby upon interruption of the feeding of envelope blanks, feeding of the patching material is interrupted until feeding of envelope blanks is reestablished, and in which an open envelope blank and severed gummed patch to be affixed to the interior of the envelope blank are fed in timed relation to a station where the individual patch is carried and affixed to an envelope blank, and means for feeding, separating and affixingthe individual gummed patches from the web onto the inner surface of successive envelope blanks fed through the machine, said last mentioned means includes a rotating vacuum cylinder applicator receiving the partially severed web and a rotating shaft adjacent said applicator having projections engaging and completely severing the partially severed web into individual patches carried by said rotating applicator and each patch afiixed to an envelope blank fed to the undersurface of said applicator.

3. A patching attachment as set forth in claim 2, in which said vacuum cylinder applicator is provided with a blade for scoring each envelope blank fed beneath the cylinder.

4. A patching attachment as set forth in claim 2, in which said applicator carries the separated individual patches on the surface of the cylinder and deposits and affixes each gummed patch to an envelope blank fed beneath the cylinder, and means contacted by the individual envelope blanks for interrupting feeding of the patching web upon interruption of the feeding of an envelope blank.

5. A patching attachment as set forth in claim 2, in which said attachment includes a supporting frame assembly in which is rotatably mounted the roll of patching material from which the web of the material is fed, rollers rotatably mounted in said frame including an idler and a draw roller over which the web is fed, an anvil and a cutting roller between which the web is fed and partially severed to form connected individual patches to be subsequently severed into individual patches, gumming means for applying an adhesive to the marginal edges of the partially severed patches of the web, a segment retard roller and a driven contact roller between which the partially severed web advances, the idler and driven contact roller being mounted upon spring-biased pivoted brackets for maintaining these latter rollers in contact with the web of patching material fed to the vacuum cylinder to which the partially severed web is fed, the rotating shaft carrying the projections contacting and separating the partially severed web on the cylinder into individual gummed patches carried by the cylinder and afiixed to successive envelope blanks fed below the vacuum cylinder.

6. A patching attachment as set forth in claim 3, in which said attachment includes a scoring roller having scoring blades for completing the scoring of the envelope blanks.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,298,093 3/19-19 Regenstein 936l 1,365,580 1/1921 Ball 93-6l 1,770,865 7/1930 Royal 93--35 2,956,484 10/1960 Subklew 9361 3,037,432 6/1962 Gibbon 9361 3,370,365 2/1968 Vosbikian 9335 3,408,908 11/1968 Berkowitz 93-61 3,416,414 12/1968 Smithe 9361 3,431,830 3/1969 Stovall 93-61 3,468,227 9/1969 Volks 93-63 3,400,642 9/1968 Stemmler 9'3--58.4X 3,412,655 11/1968 Kranz 93-58.4X 3,473,449 10/1969 Thousand 9362 WAYNE A. MORSE, ]R., Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 931, 35, 58.4 

